Expert reviews and ratings

That said, it's grandfathered in a lot of Sniper Elite V2's AI issues, while also forcing players to micromanage too much when it comes to sniping. The sound masking system is poorly implemented, detracting from the core satisfaction of landing the perfect shot.

But it's almost too easy to forget all of these head-scratching issues when that bullet makes contact with someone's cranium. It's a shallow, crude pleasure, but the delightful disorder that's just around every corner is strong enough to overshadow an otherwise forgettable experience.

This is the rare game where one should miss the forest for the trees, as the sum of its parts is greater than the whole. There is a lesson to be learned here: playing it safe hampers chances for success.

I openly admit that I love gory kills and living the hero sniper fantasy, but Sniper Elite III only partially delivers on the latter. If you can't get enough of dramatic, transparent shots of enemies getting shredded by sniper fire, Sniper Elite III has you covered in spades. If you're interested in more motivation beyond the glory of the kill, look elsewhere.

A levelling system doles out new kit for your customisable loadout, and there’s co-op and online multiplayer to contend with when Fairburne’s mission is complete. But content is no substitute for quality, and while Sniper Elite III might have made for an engaging design document, it isn’t much of a game.

Developer: Rebellion Publisher: Rebellion Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, X360, PS3 Version Reviewed: PC The quality of Sniper Elite V2 was defined to a considerable degree by the difficulty it was played on. Waltz through the game on Easy and it was one...

505 Games and Rebellion are back with their gruesomely satisfying Sniper Elite series, this third entry promises to be the largest of them all with vast open expanses to traverse and several new gameplay mechanics on offer. Can they expand on their ever...

If Rebellion can get its business model in check (and maybe earn some goodwill by not acting like an ass, a few big patches and a map editor could really bring that 2003 spirit back to life. Realistically, I expect we’ll have to wait for Sniper Elite 4 for significant improvement.

It’s too rough around the edges for awards and higher scores, but we’d recommend Sniper Elite 3 all the same. It’s beset by bugs and some really strange AI, yet the core sneak and snipe gameplay is still enthralling, and the open levels and sandbox approach make for a refreshing departure from the shooter norm. You’ll see slicker shooters later on this year, but will they be this much fun?

The skeleton-shattering, long-distance kills are still its riveting centerpiece, of course, but even without the element of dumb fun they offer, Sniper Elite III would still be a smart, unexpectedly memorable experience.

The gruesome kill-cam remains a deliciously wrong thrill and the unifying force that holds the game together, but it's doubtful that it would be enough to paper over the cracks in a fourth game without a major overhaul of the AI and physics code. Even with its flaws, though, Sniper Elite 3 is a solidly enjoyable mid-tier action game. It may not hit the bullseye, but it's getting closer with every shot.

Somewhere, someone is having a goddamn blast with Sniper Elite 3. The game's location-based alert system is working as advertised, and the AI isn't alternating between abusive and easily abused. Sniper shots are zooming impressively through the cracks...

Other than that, mark me down as a satisfied customer. The prospect of a second campaign playthrough - this time in Authentic mode (no threat radar, aiming aids, or saves!) - is genuinely enticing as is the thought of spending further evenings online, crouched in shadows, waiting and watching.

Sniper Elite 3 is still a better sniping game than a stealth game, but at least the series has finally managed to create a fair balance between the two schools of gameplay.Sniper Elite 3 was reviewed by Darryn Bonthuys on a PlayStation...